Pram Trio wins the 2014 TD Grand Jazz Award

Montreal, Friday, July 4, 2014 — The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in collaboration with TD—official sponsor and presenter of the event—are today pleased to be awarding the TD Grand Jazz Award to Pram Trio, whichwas deemed best of 8 other jazz ensembles who took part in the pan-Canadian competition.

The Galaxie Rising Star Award was bestowed for the best composition, the 2014 prize going to Rick Rosato for his piece New Untitled.

Inspired by an abandoned baby carriage on a Toronto street, they inevitably baptized themselves as the Pram Trio. These 3 musicians—Jack Bodkin (piano), Mark Godfrey (double bass) and Eric West (drums)—combine elements of traditional jazz and contemporary styles, channeling collective improvisational sessions into the best possible music in the present moment. Their new album Visitor Parking reveals their compositional talent, and a sweet cover of Joni Mitchell’s A Case Of You.

2014 TD Grand Jazz Award

The TD Grand Jazz Award entails:

The 2014 TD Grand Jazz Award and a $5,000 grant from TD;

The opportunity to present a second concert tonight, at 6 p.m. on the TD stage;

An invitation to take part in the 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, all expenses paid by the Festival;

Fifty hours in Studio 270 as part of The 270 Sessions series;

An invitation to perform at Festi Jazz International de Rimouski, 2015 edition.

An invitation to perform at the Festival de Jazz de Québec, 2015 edition.

Galaxie Rising Star Award

Galaxie is proud to be associated with the TD Grand Jazz Award. The 2014Galaxie Rising Star Award is going to Rick Rosato for his piece New Untitled, considered by the jury to be the best composition presented in this year’s contest. In addition to a $5,000 grant, the winner will have his music played on one or many jazz channels offered by Galaxie. By encouraging these upcoming stars, Galaxie is fulfilling one of its heartfelt objectives.

A springboard for Canadian jazz ensembles

Created in 1982 by the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Grand Jazz Award has become a springboard for local musicians with bright futures in jazz. Every summer, the awarding of the TD Grand Jazz Award has increasingly drawn the interest of the general public, as well as observers of the national and international jazz scenes, giving that last big boost to groups or artists on the verge of general recognition.

Take note that last year’s recipient, Hutchinson Andrew Trio, gave a free exterior concert yesterday, Thursday, July 3, at 6 p.m., as part of Les Gammes TD series on the TD stage of the Place des Festivals.